What are Pro-Thinspirational Websites?
Common Content found in Anorexic and Bulimic Websites
Growing Popularity of Anorexia and Bulimia Websites
Controversy on Pro Anorexic Websites
Dangers or Pro Thinspirational Websites
Research Question:
How has the internet allowed socially marginalized groups, such as
Anorexics and Bulimics, to connect and support themselves?
-Introduction: Introduction:
According to
CBS.com, there are hundreds of websites devoted to Anorexia
that do not prevent the behavior. Instead, these websites promote it and
offer tips in maintaining the illness.
Through the use of search engines such as
Google.com and
Yahoo.com,
hundreds of websites can be found that promote Anorexia. These websites
allow people from different parts of the world to connect in order to
exchange diet tips, pictures, videos, poetry and advice. On the
internet,
this phenomenon is known as “Thinspiration”.
The ideology of
Thinspiration is expressed and shared through the means of
independent promotional websites such as
Pro-thinspo.com
and social networks such as
Youtube.com,
Facebook.com,
Myspace.com,
Livejournal.com
and Xanga.com,
Blogger.com. Such networks allow users to form communities in which they
can interact with one another without having to leave the comfort of
their home. Many of the users cover their faces in pictures in order to
keep their identity anonymous.
Without the
internet, communities such as these could not exist. People can
easily speak to each other through means of
internet
and exchange countless ideas in order to support such habits and
lifestyle. Without the
internet,
people would have to network face to face. This would allow their
identities to be revealed. Because the topic of anorexia is taboo,
people with this eating disorder have difficulty expressing their views
and thoughts about their lifestyle without wearing a disguise. Through
the internet,
an anorexic person can find reassurance in their unhealthy habit by
means of Thinspirational networking. Through the
internet,
anorexics can join support groups that promote their lifestyle. Without
the internet,
anorexics would have a harder time finding reassurance in their
lifestyles because society considers their habits as destructive.